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⚠️ The Hidden Risks of Hiring a “Limited Service Agent”

  When it comes to buying or selling a home, not all real estate services are created equal. Some brokerages use “limited service agents” who sound cost-effective upfront, but here’s what you should know before signing on the dotted line. What a Limited Service Agent Does (and Doesn’t Do): They may place your property on the MLS, but provide little or no guidance beyond that. Negotiations, disclosures, inspections, and paperwork often fall back on you to manage. Communication and advocacy can be minimal, since their fee is tied to doing less, not more. Why This Can Put You at Risk: Legal Pitfalls: Real estate contracts are binding. A missed deadline or overlooked disclosure can cost thousands. Negotiation Weakness: Without an experienced advocate, you may be at a disadvantage against buyers or their agents. Stress Overload: You’re not just selling a home—you’re also handling marketing, showings, contracts, and inspections with little backup. False Savings: The “cheaper” model often...
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The Future of Real Estate Is Inclusive: Why Diversity Isn’t Optional Anymore

  Approximately 66% of Americans own property today. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, that ownership breaks down like this: 80% White 7% Black 6% Hispanic/Latino 4% Asian 3% LGBTQ+ Now compare that to the actual U.S. population: 59% White 15% Black 19% Hispanic/Latino 6% Asian 9.3% LGBTQ+ These numbers don’t add to 100% because LGBTQ+ people can be part of any race or ethnicity — and that intersectionality matters. The Ownership Gap When you look at the overlap, here’s what it really means: Roughly half of Black Americans own property About one-third of Hispanic/Latino Americans own property Nearly three-quarters of Asian Americans own property Only one-third of LGBTQ+ Americans own property That’s not just a social gap. It’s an economic opportunity waiting to be served more equitably. Income & Buying Power Median household incomes show another side of the story: White heterosexual households: $96,000 Black hous...
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When the REALTOR® Brand Betrays Its Own Values

Sometimes silence feels like complicity, and today, I can’t stay silent. This week, I learned that the National Association of REALTORS®, through its REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC), donated money to a candidate whose record and public statements are openly hostile toward the LGBTQ+ community. That candidate is Winsome Earle-Sears, whose recent debate performance—captured in The Advocate—included the claim that firing someone for being gay isn’t discrimination. Let that sink in. In 2025, a person running for office stood on a stage and said that who you love should be grounds for losing your job. And somehow, my national trade organization decided this person was worthy of our financial support. The Ethical Line We Crossed Article 10 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics could not be clearer: origin, sexual orientation, or gender  For decades, REALTORS® have prided ourselves on upholding fairness, equality, and the promise that everyone deserves housing free from discr...
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When FICO Changes, So Does Everything: What the Credit Shake-Up Could Mean for Our Economy—and Everyday Fort Wayne Families

Something big just happened in the world of mortgage lending. FICO, the company behind the credit score that drives nearly every loan decision in America, is changing how lenders access its data. And while this might sound like a quiet, behind-the-scenes tech update, it could eventually reshape who gets approved for mortgages, what rates they pay, and how much opportunity the average family has to build wealth through homeownership. Here in Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana, where affordability remains one of our strongest advantages, even subtle shifts in credit access can have huge ripple effects—especially for working families and first-time buyers trying to get their foot in the door. Short-Term: A Period of Confusion and Caution For now, this change mostly affects how lenders license FICO scores. FICO is letting lenders buy scores directly, instead of through the big three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). In theory, that could cut costs by as much as ...
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